Walter Murdoch (1874–1970). The Oxford Book of Australasian Verse. 1918.

31. Alter Ego

ALL the morn a spirit gay

Breathes within my heart a rhyme,

’Tis but hide and seek we play

In and out the courts of time.

Fairy lover, when my feet

Through the tangled woodland go,

’Tis thy sunny fingers fleet

Fleck the fire dews to and fro.

In the moonlight grows a smile

Mid its rays of dusty pearl—

’Tis but hide and seek the while,

As some frolic boy and girl.

When I fade into the deep

Some mysterious radiance showers

From the jewel-heart of sleep

Through the veil of darkened hours.

Where the ring of twilight gleams

Round the sanctuary wrought,

Whispers haunt me—in my dreams

We are one yet know it not.

Some for beauty follow long

Flying traces; some there be

Seek thee only for a song:

I to lose myself in thee.